The Saddle Notch corner also has the extending corners resting flush on top of each other with no air space in between.  This eliminates exposure to the top surface area of the log where water can settle and cause wood rot. This corner method combined with a tongue and groove log where all the logs are flush eliminates the need for chinking, another high maintenance item.  If chinking is desired for decorative reasons, it can be applied later. However, it is NOT a structural or weather proofing necessity.

The Dove-Tail Corner, another immensely strong corner system is mainly used on Square or Appalachian Style Logs.  The Dove-Tail Corner on a 6x12 log with either Hand or Machine Hewing is probably the most traditional looking log option that you can have. Most Appalachian Style Logs also incorporate a “V” or a Chink Groove.

Our Log system uses a double tongue and groove, therefore chinking is not necessary to prevent air or water infiltration.

Barna does NOT use this method.
The Butt and Pass method is exactly what the name implies.  One corner log butts against another corner log while the next log passes over the top of it, and so on up.  This system's weakness is in the fact that the log course is not joined at the corner on that course, but is dependent on the next course of log above it to hold it together.  This method is also favored by some half log manufactures who want the look of full log corners.

A Butt and Pass log home is easy to recognize because they are the ones with the corners that (man or animal) can easily climb all the way up to the roof.  They also have exposed surface area on top of the log at the corners for water and snow to settle, meaning more maintenance.